BACKGROUND AND DSK LAYERS

The concept of video layers is central to understanding how TriCaster’s Switcher, M/E’s and Transition controls relate to one another, and how they combine to form the video seen on Program Out.

TriCaster’s Background layer (often shortened to simply ‘BKGD’) is always the base for the video composition displayed on Programout.

DSK (DownStream Keyer, or ‘overlay’) layers may or may not appear above (or, if you like, in front of) the Background.

DSK layers are typically used for overlaying graphics, titles, etc., though they may serve other purposes as well. In addition to BKGD, up to five additional ‘primary layers’ can contribute to TriCaster’s final Program output at any given moment:

Either two or four (TriCaster 8000, 860, 460) overlay layers (DSKs are composed above the BKGD layer on output. (DSK 2 appears ‘in front of’ DSK 1 on Program Output – that is, closest to the viewer – and so on in order).

FTB (Fade to Black) constitutes a final overlay layer – one that obscures all other layers when applied.

* TriCasters 8000, 860 and 460 only

Recall, too, that the BKGD layer itself is often a composite of sub-layers:

It may include mixed video from both the Program or Preview

Selecting an M/E as source on Program or Preview can bring many more sub-layers into the BKGD composite, including the M/E’s primary Inputs and the dedicated M/E KEY layers, which are similar to DSK

Note: Since TriCaster 8000’s M/Es are reentrant, the BKGD layer can at times reach astronomical numbers of sub-layers in its composition all by itself!

SECTION 9.3

For more information please download the entire document at new.tk/rt-m